Earlier this year, Detroit, Michigan MC Page Kennedy released a strong debut album in Torn Pages. This 20-year rhyme veteran has made a living from acting, with such roles as “U-Turn” in Weeds, “Radon Randell” in Mountain State, and a film spot in S.W.A.T. In all of that time, his Rap dreams never ceased.

2017 has been an important year, following his release. Knowing it takes more than just a hot album to be heard, Page follows up with Straight Bars. The 11-track mixtape flashes back to the 2000s practice of dazzling displays over industry beats. This of course worked for 50 Cent and G-Unit, Wale, The Game, and many others. Bodying instrumentals are from Freeway, JAY-Z, Nas, ONYX, and more, Page makes this collection of songs heavily about rhyming, punchlines, and pure Hip-Hop. Elzhi, Kxng Crooked, Mickey Factz, and King Los appear, as does Cassidy.

Those looking to get a truly intimate look at the artist’s life and upbringing are strongly encouraged to check Torn Pages. That LP features Royce 5’9″, Kxng Crookd, Elzhi, King Los, Mr. Porter, Kuniva, and Marsha Ambrosius.